Sameera U.

Bangladesh-USA

24, Graduate Student and Special Assistant at the Office of the NYC Mayor, Bill de Blasio
New York, NY

In January 2007, my family and I landed at JFK, our generation’s Ellis Island. We came here with almost nothing. I was 14 and my brother was 21. My brother got a minimum-wage job – I remember him being thrilled. He said that you won’t be able to just get a job like this back in Bangladesh.

Why did your family come to the United States?My family came to the United States for a “better life” – America, for my family, was a place of greater opportunity.

What would the U.S. be missing out on if you or your people were banned?Someone who you can always count on correcting your Starbucks order – its chai latte not chai tea latte!